This is my personal blog which I began in February 2001. I called it The Obvious? when I wrote anonymously and chose the name to reflect the fact I have to overcome my inhibitions about stating the obvious!

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I don't read many novels but when I read anything by Paolo Coelho I can't put it down until I have finished it. I just romped through Eleven Minutes in less than 48 hours and as ever with his books it has left me with ideas buzzing around in my head.

The author says himself that this book is a departure from his normal focus on uplifting spiritual tales and it is the story of a Brazilian girl who becomes a prostitute in Geneva. Its focus on the darker side of life is fascinating and leads to an exploration of why we do what we do, the degree to which pain and suffering are intrinsic to our experience and the fact that any meaning we ascribe to our experiences is totally in our own control.